Casey Curole said his family spent all week long preparing their fish booth. Through Sunday, his both had gone through five 48-quart ice chests packed with fish and won top spot for tasty dishes with its redfish court bouillon.

“It’s a lot of work and coordination to put this thing on,” Curole said. “Everybody has equal pride in the food too.”

Curole said he and his brother have been working the booth for about 15 years and look forward to the event as a great “reunion” to see old friends.

“Nobody ever gets upset or impatient,” Curole said. “It’s just a unique relationship with people who love their community.”

For the first time this year, festivalgoers got contribute to murals in a tent sponsored by New Orleans artist Richard Thomas. Anyone traveling through the New Orleans Airport have likely noticed his work in the large mural depicting New Orleans music legends greeting travelers in the lobby.

Thomas has had a unique connection to Lafourche Parish since hurricane Katrina flooded his New Orleans home in 2005.

“I was forced to leave my home, by boat, we went to a bridge and eventually were evacuated by a helicopter before we waited three days for a bus,” Thomas said.

Thomas said he wasn’t sure where he was being taken, but he prayed that it was to a caring community.

“The next thing I know, I’m sleeping on the floor of the Civic Center here,” Thomas said.

He spent somewhere around eight weeks in Lafourche after being taken in by members of the community. During that time, he painted and admired the hard work and resiliency of residents recovering from the storm.

He has returned to the festival often since then and for the first time this year offered an interactive activity for visitors.

<p>The French Food Festival at the Larose Civic Center ended Sunday with organizers estimating record attendance.</p><p>“It's been a great weekend, possibly record-breaking as far as money raised and people visiting through all the days,” said Jasmine Ayo, director of the Larose Regional Park and Civic Center.</p><p>Ayo said added an extra attraction was a concert held Thursday night. Former Boston lead singer Fran Cosmo teamed with Brian Howe, the former lead singer for Bad Company for Thursday's entertainment. </p><p>“People really liked it,” Ayo said. “We got about 2,000 people to come out on a school night.” </p><p>Ayo said the goal with ideal weather is to get about 30,000 visitors through the weekend; she estimated Sunday afternoon that this year's total would push 35,000 visitors.</p><p>The festival is the center's largest fundraiser, providing money to operate the center and park, which receives no government money.</p><p>Among the most obvious signs of growth is the 2-year-old, $1.2 million pavilion, built using donations. The pavilion covers more than half an acre and is the site for the festival's food and music.</p><p>Mini kitchens lined the perimeter of the pavilion dishing delights like alligator sauce piquante, shrimp boulettes, seafood pistolettes and all manner of fried deliciousness. </p><p>Casey Curole said his family spent all week long preparing their fish booth. Through Sunday, his both had gone through five 48-quart ice chests packed with fish and won top spot for tasty dishes with its redfish court bouillon.</p><p>“It's a lot of work and coordination to put this thing on,” Curole said. “Everybody has equal pride in the food too.” </p><p>Curole said he and his brother have been working the booth for about 15 years and look forward to the event as a great “reunion” to see old friends.</p><p>“Nobody ever gets upset or impatient,” Curole said. “It's just a unique relationship with people who love their community.”</p><p>For the first time this year, festivalgoers got contribute to murals in a tent sponsored by New Orleans artist Richard Thomas. Anyone traveling through the New Orleans Airport have likely noticed his work in the large mural depicting New Orleans music legends greeting travelers in the lobby.</p><p>Thomas has had a unique connection to Lafourche Parish since hurricane Katrina flooded his New Orleans home in 2005.</p><p>“I was forced to leave my home, by boat, we went to a bridge and eventually were evacuated by a helicopter before we waited three days for a bus,” Thomas said.</p><p>Thomas said he wasn't sure where he was being taken, but he prayed that it was to a caring community.</p><p>“The next thing I know, I'm sleeping on the floor of the Civic Center here,” Thomas said. </p><p>He spent somewhere around eight weeks in Lafourche after being taken in by members of the community. During that time, he painted and admired the hard work and resiliency of residents recovering from the storm.</p><p>He has returned to the festival often since then and for the first time this year offered an interactive activity for visitors. </p><p>“I call it visual jazz,” Thomas said. “In the context of celebration.”</p><p>Two large canvasses sat outside his tent, and passers-by were encouraged to stop and paint large dots however they saw fit onto the design. The murals will now greet people in the halls of the center.</p>